HACK Ransomware

The HACK Ransomware is a file-locking Trojan that can block media on your computer with encryption. These attacks are reversible without the threat actor's ransom-based help infrequently, and users should keep backups of any files that are important to them. However, most anti-malware products will identify and delete the HACK Ransomware automatically and without issues.

Incredibly Pertinent Names for Copy-and-Paste Trojans

New weeks come with new examples of a Ransomware-as-a-Service family's continuing to hire itself out to any criminals that pay its rental price for no-programming-skills-required attacks. Samples of the new HACK Ransomware are only less recent than those of its fellow competitor for blocking file slightly, the 0day Ransomware, although both members of their family come from a long line that goes back through the 'suppfirecrypt@qq.com' Ransomware, the Wallet Ransomware, and others, back to the Dharma Ransomware branch and the rest of Crysis Ransomware's family. While the HACK Ransomware's name implies a manual, targeted attack against the victim, it's likely of being a misnomer.

The HACK Ransomware's title comes from both the extension that it uses for labeling any files that it blocks, as well as the updated e-mail address in its ransoming messages, which may be either HTA-formatted pop-ups or Notepad TXT texts. The file-locking method is inherent to its family and uses a secure AES and RSA combination that victims can't unlock without having the threat actor's custom code. The HACK Ransomware uses its ransoming instructions for soliciting payments, such as Bitcoins, for the decryptor, although paying isn't an automated or guaranteed recovery.

In some cases, file-locker Trojan infections, like the HACK Ransomware's campaign, may make use of 'hacking,' usually, via brute-forcing passwords to vulnerable Web servers or taking advantage of outdated software vulnerabilities. Leaving RDP open to the Internet is another security issue that can provoke attacks by both RaaS-using threat actors and others. However, malware researchers connect most file-locking Trojans back to users endangering themselves by clicking unsafe e-mail attachments, downloading files from torrent or using unsafe Web-browsing settings.

Defenses for Your Files from Seasoned Hackers and Script Kiddies Alike

Backing up files to other devices or services will neuter the HACK Ransomware's taking your data hostage. Media types that malware researchers see under attack include, in particular, documents and Microsoft Office-related output, pictures, audios, videos and space-compressed archives. However, nearly any file may be subject to an encryption attack, which is asymptomatic and not visible generally.

Decrypting files for free may not be available for the HACK Ransomware's family. Against the previously-noted means of attack, malware experts recommend disabling RDP, using non-factory setting passwords with complex combinations, updating software (especially, server platforms like WordPress), and avoiding illicit download sources. Anti-malware tools, meanwhile, should delete the HACK Ransomware successfully in nearly every instance, including cases where they block an e-mail attachment-based exploit, for example.

Any hacking that's related to the HACK Ransomware has a better chance of being precipitated by the victim's carelessness, instead of by a criminal seeking out a particular target for compromising. Even though, it's always better to be safe rather than presume invincibility on the part of your computer, especially if your media is worth paying for in the first place.